Hutchinghayes - Rural Devon Bliss

Written by Will Keen on
Monday 15thJan 2018

After finally getting through the masses of food we ordered in our house over Christmas and New Year, and already breaking the New Year’s resolution of “I’m going to eat better and get fit this year”, I’ve finally come up with a resolution which I know is going to be easy to keep, and that’s to get out and see more of the rural Devon countryside. First stop: Hutchinghayes in Combe Raleigh, near Honiton!

A classic period property in the heart of the Devon countryside, and on the outskirts of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hutchinghayes is a fabulous rural retreat come rain or shine. From the 32 acres of wild gardens to explore, the scenic lakes with boathouse to sit back and relax in, or the everchanging scenery carrying the essence of the four seasons, this idyll is a temple for escaping back to our natural roots, in and amongst nature at its finest.

Many people say that “home is not a place, but is a feeling”, and nowhere is this truer than here. Hutchinghayes doesn’t intend itself as a modern home, nor does it lend itself to lively parties, but instead allows families and groups of friends to enter a world of their own with a peaceful, serene setting from which they never need to escape – and rarely do for the duration of their holiday!

Wildlife lovers will be in their element here, with Hutchinghayes offering an amalgamation between farm and the wild. Guests often remark about their encounters with Honey the pig on their stay, as well as the ducks and geese that journey to the lakes. Of course, for those who do decide to pull themselves away from the estate then Wildwood Escot is just a few miles away, offering a wild day out for the whole family, walking down country paths with the wolves and other wild creatures. Or if you really want to go to the extreme, take it all with a view from the sky, and book yourself in for a flying lesson at Dunkerswell. Whether you’re looking for rural relaxation or something more upbeat, you’re right at the centre of both.

Historians will also be in their element; not only is Hutchinghayes a beautiful period property, but the nearby town of Honiton is renowned as the antiques capital of the South West! A traditional market town by nature, Honiton is also home to a fascinating museum filled with local artifacts, as well as bringing host to a rich history in both lace and pottery. Combining this with the rugged momentous landscape of the Blackdown Hills, and you’ve got a recipe for historic heaven

The truly amazing atmosphere that Hutchinghayes provides to its lucky guests is a completely unrivalled taste of the Devon countryside, and that’s just one reason why Discovery is incredibly proud to offer not just the home, but the Hutchinghayes experience to our guests, and why I’m making this my first stop on my rural Devon adventure!

Written by
Will Keen

Discovery Holiday Homes is a trading name of The Original Cottage Company Limited, which is a family-owned private limited company incorporated in England (registered number 06951692). Registered address at Bank House, Market Place, Reepham, Norwich, NR10 4JJ. VAT No. 595 2110 44.